The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-05-19
DUK-DUK.
The Peculiar Ceremony OF
South Sea Islanders,
0annibalism Still Praoticed Frequently
Among the Warlke Natives

Oannibalism Still Praoticed Frequently
Among the Warike Natives
''The most popular ceremony practiced
by the natives of New Britain has been
rarely witnessed by a white man, said a
traveller the other day to San Francisco
Chronicle reporter. The Duk-duk is
supposed to be spirit which makes
its appearance at daybreak of the day on
which tho new moon appears. 1t in
variably comes from the sea, and, as it
is daylight, two or three canoes, with
platform upon them, are seen coming to
the shore. The entire male community
Of the village awaits the coming on the
beach, seated in silence. On the plat
form are two men leaping and shouting
and crying out in shrill tones. They
wear a loose robe of leaves woven to-
gether and reaching to the knees. On
their heads are conical-shaped hats, some
six feet high, from the rims of which are
hung masks, entirely concealng the fea-
lures. The masks have horrible looking
faces painted upon them. The lower
portions of the legs are alone visible.
As the dress is supposed to represent
cassowary, or New Guinea ostrich, with
human head, the figures, upon landing,
execute series of hopping steps in imi-
tation of the bird. Meanwhile the natives
appear to be frightened. The Duk-duk
is to stay in the village fortnight, and
during that period he is at liberty to do
whatever he pleases. No woman is
allowed to look at him. In fact, as soon
as the canoe was sighted the women all
ran away to the bush. After dancing a
short time the Duk-duk goes into the
jungle and the natives move off slowly to
their homes.
"ln the evening immense quantities of
cocoanuts, yams, taro and other food
are piled in the centre of the village
square. As each man brings his con-
tribution tine Duk-duk dances around
him. If satisfied, he utters shril cry;
if displeased, the Individual receives
tremendous blow with a club. After
these food offerings are concluded, the
ceremonies begin. A large bundle of
canes about six feet long and as thick as
ones little fngcr were brought. Five
or six young men jumped up, and, hold
iinAtaeir arms high above their heads
received heavy blows from this bundle
of canes, which were welded by the
Duk-duk. The canes curled around the
bodies, and at each stroke drew blood.
Other young men took their places,
going through the same ordeal. Some
times the Duk-duk would vary the per-
formancc by striking with his club
The ccremo nies were repeated for 10
days, and then the Dak -duks took their
departure. believe the origin and
meaning of these peculiar ceremonies are
that the old natives hold power over
the young men. The Duk-duk is always
said to belong to some old man who
summons it out of the sea. No one
knows who is actually dancing in dis
guise, but they do know that if the old
men have ordered the Duk-duk to kill
any individual the command will be
obeyed without interference, from any
one. Again, the old men, having be-
come decrepit, canno: work in their
gardens, and the piles OF sood offered to
spirits comes into their possession.
although cannibaism is reported by
missionaries to have died out among the
islands in the South seas, it is far more
common than generally imagined. In
New Ireland l saw big fight between
two villages, and after the battle the
bodies of those who had fallen were
eaten. The bodies, after being scalded
in hot water, are scraped with bamboo
knife by old women. An old man cuts
up the bodies, taking care to keep the
thigh and shin bones, which are used
for spear heads. After being wrapped
in stout leaves, the dismembered cada-
vers are placed in ovens du, in the
ground, and in four days are ready for
eating. The natives made no conceal
ment of their disgusting meal, and dur
ing the feast they held wild dancing
and orgies. The preparation of sage,
cocoanut and human brains is called
saksak, and is in great demand among
the women. The females seem to be
more brutal and savage than the men
during this canniba banquet.